- 3d ago
Cuba suffers third nationwide blackout in 10 days as US fuel blockade deepens energy crisis
The island's entire power grid went offline at 11:05 local time on Tuesday, the fifth nationwide collapse in 2026, leaving 9.6 million residents without electricity amid acute fuel shortages.
- Jul 11
Rubio warns Cuba 'before it is too late' on fifth anniversary of 2021 mass protests, as Trump threatens 'takeover'
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio called on Cuba's socialist government to implement fundamental reforms on 11 July 2026, the fifth anniversary of the 2021 mass demonstrations, while President Trump has repeatedly threatened a 'takeover' of the island.
- Jul 11
Cuba suffers second total power collapse in five days amid US fuel blockade
A total grid collapse on Friday afternoon left Cuba without electricity for the second time in a week, deepening an energy crisis fueled by aging power plants and a US oil blockade.
- Jul 11
Second nationwide blackout in a week plunges 10 million Cubans into darkness
A transmission line fault between Santa Clara and Sancti Spíritus knocked out power across the island on Friday afternoon, marking the fourth total grid failure since the start of 2026.
- Jul 11
Five years after Cuba's 11-J protests, hundreds still imprisoned as regime clings to power amid blackouts and mass exodus
On the fifth anniversary of the July 2021 uprising, at least 300 demonstrators remain behind bars according to Amnesty International, while the island endures prolonged blackouts and a population decline from 11 million to under 10 million.
- Jul 11
Spanish biologist names newly discovered sea slug after Cape Verde World Cup hero Vozinha
The 4 mm red mollusc, discovered in the Caribbean, is a tribute to the 40-year-old goalkeeper who kept a clean sheet against Spain and took Cape Verde to the Round of 32.
- Jul 10
Second nationwide blackout in five days hits Cuba as dissident rapper transferred on eve of protest anniversary
Cuba's electrical grid collapsed for the second time this week on Friday, the fourth general outage in less than six months, while authorities moved jailed rapper Maykel Osorbo to a different prison a day before the fifth anniversary of the 2021 anti-government protests.
- Jul 10
Cuba's grid collapses again, marking fourth nationwide blackout of 2026 amid US oil embargo
The island's power system went dark on Friday, just days after a previous outage left millions without electricity and sparked street protests in Havana.
- Jul 6
Cuba's power grid collapses nationwide, leaving 10 million in the dark; Castro grandson signals openness to Trump talks
A nationwide power outage left 10 million Cubans without electricity on Monday, as the grandson of former leader Raúl Castro said he would negotiate directly with President Trump.
- Jul 5
Cuba hit by record blackout as 72% of island loses power amid deepening energy crisis
Cuba's state power company forecasts that 72% of the island will be without electricity during peak hours on Sunday, surpassing the previous record of 71% set just two days earlier.
- Jun 29
Luis de Javier joins 'Maestros de la Costura Celebrity' as the talent show returns with 12 celebrity contestants
RTVE premieres the second celebrity edition of its sewing competition on 29 June, introducing designer Luis de Javier to the jury and a dozen well-known faces to the workroom.
- Jun 24
US Supreme Court clears ExxonMobil lawsuit against Cuba over Castro-era property seizures
The US Supreme Court ruled 6-3 that ExxonMobil may pursue its lawsuit against Cuban state-owned companies for assets confiscated after Fidel Castro's revolution, removing a sovereign immunity defense that had blocked the case.
- Jun 21
Ramiro Valdés, last commander of the Cuban Revolution and Castro ally, dies at 94
Ramiro Valdés Menéndez, a key figure of the Cuban Revolution, former vice president, and founder of Cuba's intelligence services, died Sunday at 94. President Miguel Díaz-Canel said his death felt 'like the loss of a father.'
- Jun 21
Ramiro Valdés, revolutionary commander who built Cuba's intelligence apparatus, dies at 94
Ramiro Valdés Menéndez, one of the last surviving commanders of the 1959 Cuban revolution and the founder of the island's feared G2 intelligence service, died in Havana on Sunday at the age of 94.
- Jun 18
Cuba proposes sweeping market reforms to rescue economy under US sanctions
Cuban PM Manuel Marrero presented 176 reform measures to the National Assembly on Thursday, backed by the Communist Party and former leader Raúl Castro, aiming to privatize state firms and attract foreign investment to survive crushing US economic pressure.
- Jun 13
Cuba announces market-oriented reforms modelled on China and Vietnam, citing unsustainable status quo and US pressure
President Miguel Díaz-Canel said further economic sectors would be opened to private enterprise, approvals streamlined, and the state apparatus restructured, while holding up China and Vietnam as templates for a socialist market economy.
- Jun 13
Giancarlo Giannini backs De Gregori's call for artists to avoid political statements, as 'Baracoa' screens at Taormina
At the 72nd Taormina Film Festival, Italian screen legend Giancarlo Giannini agreed with singer-songwriter Francesco De Gregori that actors and musicians should refrain from political commentary, while presenting the Cuban-set road movie 'Baracoa' and receiving a lifetime achievement award.
- Jun 12
Cuba announces sweeping economic reforms as Díaz-Canel declares 'times when change is necessary'
President Miguel Díaz-Canel surprised Cuba with a broad package of market-oriented reforms, citing 'exigencies of current times' while under a tightening US blockade and a deepening economic crisis.
- Jun 11
US sanctions Cuba's state oil company CUPET and blocks Florida firm's fuel shipment
Washington added CUPET to its sanctions list on 11 June and froze Vanguard Energy's plan to deliver 250,000 barrels of gasoline and diesel, deepening the island's energy crisis.
- Jun 10
Hegseth warns Cuba over weapons buildup as UN voices alarm over US sanctions
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, visiting the Guantanamo Bay naval base, cautioned Havana against procuring arms capable of reaching US territory, while the United Nations human rights chief condemned sweeping sanctions for causing "widespread harm" to the population.
